Floor covering



Jan. 15, 1957 D. D. SMITH 2,777,789

FLOOR COVERING Filed Oct. 27T, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 HHH IHN l 'lmmmllm: g

,vf cruz/s I Jan. 15, 1957 Filed Oct. 27, 1954 D. D. SMITH 2,777,789

FLOOR COVERING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ud/'e @Wizz/ Tammy/S Jan. 15,1957 D. D. SMITH 2,777,789

FLOOR COVERING Filed Oct. 27, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'u Imm INVENTOR.,545? 677727Z.

United States Patent v v Patented Jan. 15, 1957 ice nroon covERlNG DaleD. Smith, Royal Oak, Mich., assigner to Harley Earl, Inc., Detroit,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application October 27, 1954, SerialNo. 464,965 20 Claims. (Cl. 154-49) This invention relates to protectivecoverings and, more particularly, to an improved floor covering.

An object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages in prior iloorcoveringsv and to provide an improved iloor covering incorporatingimproved means for increasing the service life thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved lloor coveringwhich obviates the necessity of providing pad means intermediate thecovering and the floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved oor coveringwhich is economical to manufacture, durable, and which may be suppliedin a wide variety of patterns and styles that are pleasing inappearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved iloor coveringwhich may be supplied in the form of replaceable tiles, in the form of a-carpet or in the form of a rug; which may be easily and quicklyinstalled so as to cover any desired area of a oor with a minimum oftime, labor and expense; and in which selected sections that may besubjected to excessive wear may be easily and quickly replaced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved floor coveringwhich may be supplied to the purchaser in kit form for completion andinstallation by the purchaser.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved floorcovering which obviates the necessity of trimming and binding the edgeportions thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved lloorcovering which incorporates improved means for gripping the floor toreduce relative movement between the covering and the door.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view of a oor covering embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the floor covering illustrated in Fig. l,taken on the line 2 2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the oor covering illustratedin Fig.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the matrix of the covering illustratedin Fig. l, showing the yarn removed therefrom;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of another pattern that may be woven into thematrix illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another pattern that may be woven into thematrix illustrated in Fig. '4;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the floor coveringillustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the oor covering illustratedin Fig. 8, taken on the line 9--9 thereof;

Fig. l0 is a sectional view of the oor covering illustrated in Fig. 8,taken on the line 10--10 thereof;

l, taken on the line 3 3 thereof;

Fig. ll is an enlarged perspective view the matrix illustrated movedtherefrom;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the floor covering illustrated in Fig.l2, taken on the line 13-13 thereof; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the matrix illustrated in Fig. l2,showing the yarn removed therefrom.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 4, a oorcovering, generally designated 10, is shown embodying the presentinvention, although it will be understood that the present invention isapplicable to other uses. ln the embodiment of the invention illustratedin Figs. l through 4, the lloor covering 10 is comprised of a pluralityof substantially at rectangular members 12 which are disposed inside-by-side and end-to-end relationship so as to form a substantiallycontinuous iloor covering. lt Will be understood, however, that thefloor covering 1i) may be formed in one piece, as for example, in theform of a conventional rug or the loor covering may be comprised of aplurality of elongate carpet-like strips disposed in side-by-siderelationship.

The members 12 are each comprised of a matrix 14 which may be made ofplastic, rubber or other suitable material, preferably a resilientmaterial. The matrix 14 includes a plurality of elongate spacedsubstantially parallel ribs 16 and a plurality of spaced substantiallyparallel cross pieces 18 which extend transversely of the ribs 16 andare preferably integrally joined thereto. The ribs 16 and the crosspieces 18 preferably intersect at substantially right angles and theribs and cross pieces define a plurality of apertures 20 which arepreferably aligned in rows and columns. As shown in Figs, 2 and 4, theupper surfaces 22 of the ribs 16 are initially substantially coplanarand lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lowersurfaces 24 of the ribs. The upper surfaces 26 and the lower surfaces 28of the cross pieces 18 are initially substantially co-planar with theupper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the ribs 16.

ln the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l-4, strands ofyarn 30, which may be made of wool, cotton, synthetic fibers or othersuitable material are woven through the apertures 2? in a directionsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the ribs 16, the yarnbeing woven through the apertures so that the sections of the strands ofyarn which are visible in alternate columns are staggered in relation tothe sections of the strands of yarn which are visible in the remainingcolumns, as shown in Fig. 1. The resilience of the matrixr 14 is suchthat when the oor covering is installed and pressure is applied to theoor covering, as by stepping on the iioor covering, the yarn bearsagainst the upper portions of alternate cross pieces and the lowerportions of the remaining cross pieces so that the upper portions of thealternate cross pieces are compressed, as at 32, while the lowerportions of the remaining cross pieces are compressed, as at 34, withthe result that the upper surfaces of the ribs 16 and the upper surfacesof alternate cross pieces 18 are substantially co-planar with theuppermost portion of the yarn and such surfaces of the matrix serve aswear surfaces which selve to lengthen the life of the floor covering. Atthe same time, the lower surfaces of the ribs 16 and the lower surfacesof the remaining cross pieces 13 resiliently bear against the door, andsuch lower surfaces of the matrix grip the oor to reduce the tendency ofthe door covering to move relative to the floor. By varying thethickness of the matrix 14 and the resilience of the material formingthe matrix, the wearing characteristics and oor-gripping characteristicsof the` oor covering may be controlled.

of a portion of in Fig. 7, and showing the yarn re- In order that thetile-like members 12 may be easily and quickly releasably fastenedtogether in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship to form a completefloor covering, the outermost ribs'36 and the outermost cross pieces 3Sof eachrriaftrix 14'are4formed so as to be approximately one-half thethickness of the remaining ribs 16 and cross pieces 18. A plurality ofgenerally U-shaped clips 49 are provided having spaced substantiallyparallel side portions 42 and 44 joined at one end by a bight portion46. When the members 12 are installed in side-byside and end-to-endrelationship, the side portions 42. and 44 of the clips 40 are fittedover the reduced thickness peripheral ribs and cross pieces at aposition near, but spaced from, the corners of the members 12 so as tosecure the peripheral ribs and cross pieces of adjacent members 12 inside-by-side relationship, the free ends of the clips 40 terminatingbelow the upper surfaces of the peripheral ribs and cross pieces so asto be inobtrusive. When the members 12 are assembled in such a manner,individual or selected members 12 which may be subjected to excessivewear may be easily and quickly removed and replaced with a minimum oflabor and expense. For example, members 12 which are disposed adjacent adoor of a room may be transposed with other members 12 that are disposedin areas normally receiving less wear, thereby obviating the necessityof turning the entire oor covering and materially increasing the servicelife of the door covering.

As shown in Figs. l, and 6, the yarn may be woven through the matrix 14in a wide variety of styles and patterns. For example, as shown in Fig.5, the yarn is woven through the apertures in a direction substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axes of the ribs 16, the yarn passing overand under the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of alternate crosspieces so that the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces are alignedin rows while the portions of the yarn which are visible between thealternate cross pieces are aligned in rows and columns.

As shown in Fig. 6, the yarn may be intertwined through the apertures 20in the matrix 14 so that the strands of yarn are spirally wound aroundthe ribs 16, Vthe strands passing over the intersections of the ribsandV cross pieces and crossing under the ribs between adjacent crosspieces in one column, as at 4S, and passing under the intersections ofthe ribs and cross pieces and'crossing over the ribs between adjacentcross pieces in the next column, as at 50. i

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 7 throughl1, and is comprised of a floor covering, generally designated 110,which includes a plurality of substantially at, rectangular members 112that are disposed in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship so as toform a substantially continuous oor covering. The

loor covering 110 may be formed in one piece, as for example, in theform of a conventional rug, or the floor covering may also be comprisedof a plurality of elongate carpet-like strips disposed in side-by-siderelationship in the manner previously described. The members 112 areeach comprised of a matrix 114 which may be made of plastic, rubber orother suitable material, preferably a resilient material, and the matrix114 includes a plurality of elongate, spaced, substantially parallelribs 116 and a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel cross pieces118 which extend transversely of the ribs 116 and are preferablyintegrally joined thereto. The ribs 116 Vand the cross pieces 118preferably intersect at substantially right angles and the ribs andcross pieces define a plurality of apertures 120 which are preferablyaligned in rows and columns. As shown in Fig. 9, the upper surfaces 122of the ribs are lsubstantially co-planar and lie in a planeVsubstantially parallel to the plane of the lower surfaces 124 of theribs. As shown in Figs. 9 and l0, the upper surfaces 126 of alternatecross pieces 118 are substantially co-planar with the upper surfaces 122of the ribs 116 while the lower surfaces l128 of such alternate crosspieces lie in a plane intermediate the planes of the upper and lowersurfaces 122 and 124, respectively, of the ribs 116. rEhe upper surfaces130 of the remaining cross pieces lie in a plane intermediate the planesof the upper and lower surfaces 122 and 124 of the ribs 116 while thellower surfaces 132 of such remaining cross pieces are substantiallyco-plauar with the lower surfaces 124 of the ribs 116.

Strands of yarn 134, 'which may be made of wool, cotton, syntheticfibers or other suitable material, are woven through the apertures 126in a direction substantially parallel to the'longitudinal axes of theribs 116. Since the lowersurfaces 123 of alternate cross pieces aredisposed between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces 122 and 124of the ribs 116 while the upper surfaces 15d of the remaining transversecross pieces are disposed in a plane between the planes of the upper andlower surfaces of the ribs 116, the yarn may be woven so that it isdisposed entirely between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces 122and 124- of the ribs 116, With such a construction, the upper surfaces122 of the ribs 116 and the upper surfaces 126 of alternate cross pieces118 project above the yarn 134 when the lfloor covering is installed ona floor and such surfaces serve as wear surfaces which serve to lengthenthe life of the door covering. At the same time, the lower surfaces 124of the ribs 116 and the lower surfaces 132 of the remaining cross pieces118 resiliently bear against the floor when the floor covering isinstalled, and such lower surfaces grip the door to reduce the tendencyof the floor covs ering to move relative to the lloor. By varying thethickness of the matrix 114 and the distance which the rib and crosspieces project above and below the yarn, the resilience and the wearingcharacteristics of the door covering may be controlled.

ln order that the tile-like members 112 may be easily and quicklyreleasably fastened together in side-by-side and end-to-end relationshipto form a complete floor covering, the loutermost ribs 136 and theoutermost cross pieces 13S of each member 112 are formed so as to beapproximately one-half the thickness of the remaining'ribs 116 and crosspieces 118. When the members 112 are installed in side-by-side andend-to-end relationship, the side portions 42 and 44 of the previouslydescribed clips 40 are litted over the reduced thickness peripheral ribsand cross pieces at a position near, but spaced from, the corners of themembers 112 so as to secure the peripheral ribs and cross pieces inside-bysideprelationship. The free ends of the clips 40 terminate belowthe upper surfaces of the peripheral ribs and cross pieces so as to beinobstrusive. When the members 112 are assembled in such a manner,individual or selected members 112 which may be subjected to excessivewear may be easily and quickly removed and replaced with a minimum` oflabor and expense. For example, members 112 disposed adjacent a door ofa room may be transposed with other members 112 disposed in areasnormally receiving less wear, thereby obviating the necessity of turningthe entire floor covering and materially increasing the service life ofthe iloor covering.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. l2, 13 and14 `and is comprised of a matrix 150 which may be of any desired sizeand configuration, and which includes a plurality of equally spacedsubstantially parallel ribs 152 and la plurality of spaced:substantially parallel cross pieces 154, .the cross pieces 154intersecting the ribs 152 at substantially right angles and beingintegrally joined thereto. The ribs 152 .and the cross pieces 154 definea plurality of apertures 156 which are preferably disposed in alignedrows and columns.

`In this embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower surfaces 158and 160 of the ribs 152 are disposed in spaced substantially parallelplanes while the upper and'lower surfaces 162 and 164 of the crosspieces are disposed yin spaced substantially parallel planes which lie2,777,789 between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces S surface,and means for releasably joining said members and 160 of the ribs 152.Strands of yarn 166, which in edge-to-edge relationship. may be made ofwool, cotton, synthetic fibers .or other 6. In a protective covering,the combination comprising suitable material, are woven through theapertures 156, a plurality of relatively at members adapted to be thestrands preferably extending in a direction substan- 5 disposed insubstantially co-planar edge-to-edge relationtially parallel to thelongitudinal axes of the ribs 152. ship, each of said members includinga relatively Hat The yarn 166 is preferably entirely disposedintermediate matrix formed of a resilient material and defining a theplanes of the upper and lower surfaces 158 and 169 plurality ofapertures, a strand of yarn-like material of the ribs 152 so that theribs project `above and below interlaced through said apertures,portions of said yarn the yarn when the door covering is .installed on adoor. l0 normally overlying portions of the outer surfaces of With sucha construction, the upper surfaces 153 of the said matrix, said yarncompressing said matrix and ribs 152 serve as wear surfaces whichprotect the yarn becoming embedded therein when pressure is applied andserve -to increase the service life of the floor coverto said coveringwhereby at least some of the wear is ing, while the lower surfaces 69 ofthe ribs 152 bear taken by said matrix, and means for releasably joiningagainst the floor and grip the iioor to reduce the tendency 15 saidmembers in edge-to-edge relationship.

of the covering to slip on the door. Such a construction 7. In aprotective covering, a relatively fiat matrix, also obviates thenecessity oi providing a pad between the said matrix includin(Y aplurality of spaced ribs and a covering and the iioor, the resiliency ofthe door coverplurality of spaced cross pieces extending transversely'of ing and the wearing qualities thereof being controlled said ribs,said ribs and said cross pieces defining `a pluby Varying the thicknessof the matrix 15) and the distance 20 rality of apertures, at least onehorizontal surface of each the ribs 152 project above and below the yarn166 of said cross pieces being disposed intermediate the hori- Whilepreferred embodiments of the invention have zontal surfaces of saidribs, and a strand of yarn-like been shown and described, it -will beunderstood that material woven through said apertures whereby at leastvarious changes and modifications may be made without some of `the wearis taken by said horizontal surfaces of departing from the spirit of theinvention. said ribs.

Whatis claimed is: 8. In a protective covering, a relatively fiat matrixl. In a protective covering, the combination including said matrixincluding a plurality of spaced substantially a plurality of relativelyfiat members adapted `to be dishorizontal ribs and a plurality of spacedsubstantially posed in substantially coplanar edge-to-edge relationship,horizontal cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs, each ofsaid members including a base formed of a resaid ribs and said crosspieces deninga plurality of apersilient material, a strand of yarn-likematerial Woven tures, at least one horizontal surface of each of saidcross through said base, and clip means adapted to simulpieces beingdisposed intermediate the upper and lower taneously engage the bases ofadjacent members and resurfaces of said ribs, and a strand of yarn-likematerial leasably join said members in edge-to-edge relationship. ywoventhrough said apertures and disposed substantially 2. In a protectivecoverin the combination including between said upper and lower surfacesof said nbs. a plurality of relatively at members adapted to be dis- 9.In a protective covering, a plurality of relatively dat posed insubstantially coplanar edge-to-edge relationship, members adapted to bedisposed in substantially coplanar each of said members including amatr'm formed of a reedge-to-edge relationship, each of said membersincluding silient material and defining a plurality of apertures, and arelatively at matrix, each matrix including a plurality of a strand ofyarn-like material interlaced through said aper- 40 spaced ribs havingupper and lower surfaces and a plutures, and clip means adapted tosimultaneously engage Iality of spaced cross pieces having upper andlower surthe matrices of adjacent members and releasably Join said facesand extending transversely of said ribs, said ribs members inedge-to-edge relationship. and cross pieces defining a plurality ofapertures in said 3. In a protective covering, the combination includingmatrix, at least one of said surfaces of each of said a plurality ofrelatively at members adapted to lbe discross pieces being disposedbetween said upper and lower posed in substantially coplanaredge-to-edge relationship, surfaces of said ribs, and a strand ofyarn-like material each of said members including a matrix formed of sainterlaced through said apertures said strand beinfy disresilientplastic material and deiining a plurality of aperposed substantiallybetween said upper and lower surtuies, a strand of yarn woven throughsaid apertures and faces of said ribs. clip means adapted tosimultaneously engage the matrices l0. In a protective covering, thecombination includof adjacent members and releasably join said membersing a plurality of relatively at members adapted to be in edge-to-edgerelationship. disposed in substantially co-planar edge-to-edge relation-4. A protective covering comprising, in combination, ship, each of saidmembers including a relatively fiat a plurality of relatively flatmembers adapted to be dismatrix, each matrix including a plurality ofspaced ribs posed in substantially co-planar edge-to-edge relationship,having upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of spaced each of saidmembers including a base formed of a recross pieces extendingtransversely of said ribs and havsilient material and having asubstantially at surface on ing upper and lower surfaces, said ribs andcross pieces one side thereof, a strand of yarn-like materialinterdefining a plurality of apertures in said matrix, at least lacedthrough said base, said yarn-like material compressone of said surfacesof each of said cross pieces being ing said base and becoming embeddedtherein when presdisposed between said upper and lower surfaces of saidsure is applied to said covering whereby the outermost ribs, a strand ofyarn-like material interlaced through said portions of said yarn on saidone side of said base are apertures, said strand being substantiallydisposed besubstantially co-planar with said wear surface, and meanstween said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, and for releasablyjoining said members in edge-to-edge relameans for releasably joiningsaid members in edge-tot-ionship. edge relationship.

5. In a protective covering, the combination including 11. In aprotective covering, a relatively at matrix a plurality of relativelydat members adapted to be disformed of a resilient material, said matrixincluding a posed in substantially CO-plnar edge-O-edge relationship,plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs, the upper each Of Saidmembers including a felaVSlY fiat base surfaces of said ribs beingsubstantially co-planar, said formed on a resilient material and havinga wear surface 7g matrix also including a plurality of spaced crosspieces on one side thereof, a strand of yarn-like materialinterextending transversely of said ribs, said ribs and cross lacedthrough said base, said strand becommf7 embedded pieces defining aplurality of apertures in said matrix, to said base when pressure isapplied to said covering the upper surfaces of alternate cross piecesbeing disposed whereby the outermost portions of said yarn on said onebelow the plane of the upper surfaces of said ribs, and

side of said base are substantially co-planar with said wear a strand ofyarn-like material woven through said apern tures whereby Asaid yarn issubstantially disposed below said upper surfaces of said ribs.

j 312.*l'n a :protective covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a'resilientmateriaL saidmatrix including a hplurality of spacedsubstantially 'parallel ribs, the lower surfaces of said ribs beingYsubstantially cci-planar, said ma'trix also 'including a plurality ofspaced cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs, said ribs andcross pieces defining a plurality 'of apertures in vsaid matrix, thelower surfaces of alternate cross pieces being disposed above Vthe planeof the lower surfaces of said ribs, and a strand of yarn-like materialwoven through said apertures whereby said yarn is substantially disposedabove said lower surfaces of said ribs.

13. ln a floor covering, a relatively dat matrix formed of a resilientmaterial, said matrix Vincluding a plurality of spaced substantiallyparallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel crosspieces extending transversely vof said ribs, the upper and lowersurfaces of said ribs lying in vspaced substantially parallel planes,the

upper and lower surfaces of said cross pieces being disposedintermediate tlie planes of said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs,said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality of aperturesextending through said matrix aligned in rows and columns, and a strandof yarn interlaced through said apertures, said strand Vbeing disposedsubstantially entirely between said upper and lower surfaces of saidribs.

14. In a floor covering, the combination including a plurality ofrelatively iiat'members adapted to be disposed in substantiallyco-planar edge-to-edge relationship, each of said members including arelatively llat Vmatrix formed of a resilient material, said matrixincluding a plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs and aplurality of spaced substantially parallel cross piecesextendingtransversely of said ribs, the upper'and lower Vsurfaces of said ribslying in spaced substantially parallel planes, the upper and lowersurfaces of said 'cross pieces being disposed intermediate the planes ofsaid upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, said ribs and said crosspieces delining a plurality of aligned apertures in said matrix, astrand of yarn woven through said apertures, said strand being disposedsubstantially between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, andmeans for releasably joining said members in edge-to-edge relationship.

l5. ln a door covering, a relatively dat matrix formed of a resilientmaterial, said matrix of spaced substantially parallel ribs and aplurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces extendingtransversely of said ribs upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying inspaced planes, the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces beingsubstantially co-planar with the upper surfaces of said ribs, the lowersurfaces of said alternate cross pieces being disposed intermediate saidupper and lower surfaces of said ribs, the upper surfaces of theremaining cross'pieces being disposed intermediate said upper and lowersurfaces of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said remaining cross piecesbeing substantially iso-planar with the lower surfaces of said ribs,said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality of apertures insaid matrix, and a filamentous material woven through said aperturessubstantially between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs.

i6. ln a lloor covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a resilientmaterial, said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantiallyparallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel crosspieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrallyjoined'thereto, the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying inspaced substantially parallel planes, the upper surfaces of alternatecross pieces being .substantially co-planar with the upper surfaces-ofsaid ribs, the lower surfaces of said alternate cross pieces beingdisposedvintermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, theupper surfaces including a plurality and integrally joined thereto, the

of the remaining cross -pieces being disposed intermediate said upperand lower surfaces of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said remainingcross pieces being substantially cci-planar Vwith the lower surfaces ofsaid ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality ofapertures in said matrix, and a strand of filamentous materialinterlaced through said apertures, said material being disposedsubstantially entirely between said upper and lower surfaces of saidribs.

i7. In a floor covering, plurality of relatively flat posed inedge-to-edge relationship,

the combination including a members adapted to be diseach of saidmembers including a relatively llat matrix formed of a resilientmaterial, said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantiallyparallel ribs and a `plurality of spaced substantially parallel crosspieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrally joinedthereto, the lateral dimensions of the peripheral ribs and cross piecesbeing less than the lateral dimensions of the remaining ribs and crosspieces, the upper and lower surfaces of-said ribs lying in spacedsubstantially parallel planes, the upper surfaces of alternate crosspieces being substantially co-planar with the upper surfaces of saidribs, the lower surfaces of said alternate cross pieces being disposedintermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, the uppersurfaces of the other cross pieces being disposed intermediate saidupper and lower surfacesk of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said othercross pieces being substantially co-planar with the lower surfaces ofsaid ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality ofapertures in said matrix, a strand of filamentous material interlacedthrough said apertures, said material being disposed substantiallyentirely between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, and clipmeans engageable with said peripheral ribs and cross pieces andeffective to releasably secure said members in edge-toedge relationship.

18. In a floor covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a resilientmaterial, said matrix including a plurality of spaced-substantiallyparallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel crosspieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrally joinedthereto, the longitudinal axes of said ribs and cross pieces beingsubstantially co-planar, the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lyingin spaced substantially parallel planes, the upper and lower surfaces ofsaid cross pieces lying in spaced substantially parallel planes disposedbetween the planes of said upper and lower surfaces 'of -said ribs, saidribs and said crosspieces defining a plurality Vof `apertures aligned inrows and columns, and a'filamentous material interlaced through saidapertures, said filamentous material being disposed substantiallyentirely between said upper and lowerfsurfaces of said ribs.

l9. ln a floor'covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a resilientmaterial, said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantiallyparallel ribs and a plurality of spacedfsubstantially parallel crosspieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrallyvjoinedthereto, the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying inspaced substantially parallel planes, the upper and lower surfaces ofsaidy cross pieces lying in spaced substantially' parallel planesdisposed between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces of saidribs, said ribs and sad'cross pieces defining a plurality of alignedapertures, and a filamentous material disposed in each of said aperturessubstantially between said upperl and lower surfaces lof said ribs.

20. In a floor covering, the combinationV including a plurality ofrelatively iiat members adapted to be disposed in edge-to-edgerelationship, each of said members including a relatively flat matrixformed of a'resilient material, ysaid basey including va plurality ofspaced substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spacedsubstantially parallel cross pieces extending. transversely of said ribsand integrally joined thereto, the lateral dimensions of the'peripheralribs and cross pieces lbeing less than the lateral dimensions of theremaining ribs and cross 10 lower surfaces of said ribs lying ReferencesCited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 19,494 Gliddenet al. Mar. 12, 1935 planes of 51 5 1,666,938 Kseumann Apr. 24, 192s din rows 2,659,687 Moore Nov. 17, 1953 us material woven through saidFOREIGN PATENTS o disposed BD- 686245 France Apr. 8, 1930 e With saidperipheral ribs and 10

11. IN A PROTECTIVE COVERING, A RELATIVELY FLAT MATRIX FORMED OF ARESILIENT MATERIAL, SAID MATRIX INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPACEDSUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RIBS, THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID RIBS BEINGSUBSTANTIALLY CO-PLANAR, SAID MATRIX ALSO INCLUDING A PLURALITY OFSPACED CROSS PIECES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID RIBS, SAID RIBS ANDCROSS PIECES DEFINING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES IN SAID MATRIX, THE UPPERSURFACES OF ALTERNATE CROSS PIECES BEING DISPOSED BELOW THE PLANE OF THEUPPER SURFACES OF SAID RIBS, AND A STRAND OF YARN-LIKE MATERIAL WOVENTHROUGH SAID APERTURES WHEREBY SAID YARN IS SUBSTANTIALLY DISPOSED BELOWSAID UPPER SURFACES OF SAID RIBS.